US Concerned About Trial Of 16 Turkish Activists Facing Life In Prison - State Department

The United States is concerned about reports of the upcoming charges against 16 Turkish activists that are facing life imprisonment for participating in the 2013 Gezi Park protests, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement on Saturday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd February, 2019) The United States is concerned about reports of the upcoming charges against 16 Turkish activists that are facing life imprisonment for participating in the 2013 Gezi Park protests, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Anadolu news agency reported that Istanbul prosecutors had demanded aggravated life sentences for an "attempt to overthrow Turkish government" during the protests.

"The United States is gravely concerned by reports that prosecutors in Turkey moved to indict 16 civil society, media, and business leaders. Exercising the right to freedom of expression should not result in an aggravated life sentence," the statement says.

In this regard, Washington called on Turkey to respect the freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and to release those arbitrarily held in custody.

The protests began in Istanbul on May 31, 2013, over the decision of the authorities to cut down the Gezi Park next to Taksim Square to build a shopping and entertainment center in its place.

The protesters were supported by half the provinces of Turkey and the Turks living in Europe. The protests escalated into a wave of opposition to government policies.

Among the 16 detainees are philanthropist Osman Kavala, actor Memet Ali Alabora, and former editor-in-chief of the oldest Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, Can Dundar.

There are different types of life imprisonment in Turkey. An ordinary life sentence gives a convict a chance to be released after 30 years or after 36 years if he received more than one life sentence. Life imprisonment for aggravated crime suggests that such an opportunity can be provided after 36 and 40 years, respectively. Those sentenced for terrorism are not eligible for a chance to be released.